Although the Russellville School Board has acknowledged the need for a millage increase in the school district, board members postponed the announcement Thursday of an exact proposal.

Herb Taylor, board member and building and grounds committee chair, told meeting attendees a day trip the board members took Thursday to Clarksville, Alma and Greenwood school district fine arts centers left the board with more questions than answers.

During a special meeting Tuesday, board members heard from District Architect Greg Barborek of Crafton, Tull & Associates, who presented an estimated $30 million proposal to construct a performing arts center at the high school and modernize the district's elementary schools.

The board planned to have a millage proposal to announce to the public Thursday, but decided more time was needed to come up with a figure.

"We don't want to do too much, but at the same time, we don't want to do too little," Superintendent Randall Williams said of the proposed facility. "So we need a little more time to decide that."

Board members Virginia Berner and Margie Smith each gave their impression of the district facilities the board visited Thursday.

"The one thing we heard from all three of the schools we visited is that their fine arts programs blossomed with the building of their facilities," Berner said. "Their drama and music departments just escalated."

Smith said a facility similar to Alma's, Clarksville's or Greenwood's could create many opportunities for Russellville, such to providing free summer camps for students.

"There's a lot of potential there, and we're really excited about that," she said.

District Business Manager Nathan Barber said the board needs to make a decision regarding the millage proposal no later than July 9 to ensure the public is notified 60 days prior to the Sept. 18 school election, as the state mandates.

"This is critical," he said. "There's no room for error."

The board agreed to meet next week to make their final decision.

Background

As presented during Tuesday's special meeting, architect plans for the proposed $20 million fine arts center included an auditorium with seating for 2,000 and a stage to hold a 300-person band, as well as band rooms, choir rooms, director offices, drama classrooms and dressing rooms, etc. A science wing and journalism area would also be constructed under the current plans.

Plans were also sketched for $10 million in additions and renovations to the elementary schools, which included the construction of a PE/saferoom for each of the six buildings. Four of the elementaries would receive new classroom space, while all of the buildings would receive some form of modernization, such as lockers, carpet, exterior work, etc.